Saturday, August 21, 2010

GMA Network marks another historic landmark as it debuts a cinematic version of the Philippine national anthem, "Lupang Hinirang" featuring the brightest Kapuso stars.

This new theatrical version retells Philippine History through a succession of carefully-crafted and awe-inspiring reenactments of historical events from Lapu-Lapu's victory over Magellan's troops in the Battle of Mactan to the Filipinos' peaceful revolt in pursuit of democracy in the 1986 People Power Revolution at EDSA.

The new version, which was conceived from the strengthened corporate partnership between GMA Network and SM Cinemas, advances the narration of Philippine history from the standard versions released before.

According to the Director, Paul Ticzon, the team went through almost 10 months of meticulous research and preparation to shoot the vignettes.

"We went through this to be part of history. This two-and-a-half -minute version is something that all Filipinos could be very proud of. It strengthens one's nationalism when viewed," said Ticzon, who is also the AVP for Post Production Operations Division of GMA.

This project was done in close coordination with the National Historical Commission of the Philippines, who recognized the Network's efforts to instill nationalism and patriotism among the Filipino people.

Shot wholly in high-definition (HD) digital video technology, the national anthem is slated to roll on the big screens of SM across the country. It will also be a part of GMA's sign-on and sign-off messages marking the beginning and end of each day's broadcast.

SM expressed excitement over the launch of this new visual accompaniment to the century-old national anthem.

"With our partnership with GMA, we will be able to show the anthem in a different way. Before we just had audio, now we have a full production with GMA," said Assistant Vice President for SM Cinemas Allan Florendo.

Renowned film and television director Mark Reyes pitched the historical concept to GMA. "This will hopefully show and remind the younger generation what our heroes went through in history for our freedom. Being part of the Network that has played a role in the scheme of history, I am edified to push in an artistic way the Filipinos' passion for this country," Reyes said.